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his collegiate pursuits include computerscience and medicine, which he hopes tocombine in his career. U.S. PresidentialScholars will be announced in May.

Sun is also one of three ASFA studentswho have been selected as National Meritand National Achievement Finalists.Students are selected based on theirPSAT scores. The other National MeritFinalist is Math & Science senior PoojaWagle, and Math and Science seniorJeremia Muhia has been selected as aNational Achievement Finalist.

ASFA Music Department senior CodyChang has been selected as a finalistfor the prestigious Gates MillenniumScholarship. Chang is one of 1,000students selected and one of more than23,000 who applied for the award thatpays for a student’s undergraduate,graduate and post graduate degrees.Students are selected based onacademic achievement, leadershippotential and community service.

The Gates Millennium Scholars program,funded by a grant from the Bill and MelindaGates Foundation, provides outstandingminority students with funds to completetheir college education in any area ofinterest. In addition, Gates MillenniumScholars participate in leadership anddevelopment programs throughout theircollege career. Cody, a violinist at ASFAsince grade 9, said he plans to studymusic education in college. Scholars willbe announced later this month.

ASFA Math & Science Department seniorDevin Sun has been selected as acandidate to become a U.S. PresidentialScholar. Sun is one of 28 students fromthe Birmingham municipal area and 73statewide selected for the prestigioushonor. The renowned award recognizessome of the country’s most distinguishedhigh school seniors. In Devin’s case, hewas nominated based on his academicachievement and high SAT and AdvancedPlacement test scores.

Last year, Devin was selected as a2012-2013 Male SiemensAward Winnerfor Advanced Placement. This awardrecognizes the nation’s top achievers inadvance placement courses in science,technology, engineering and mathematicsand provides a $2,000 scholarship to onemale and one female from each state.As of last year, Sun had taken eight APcourses and chose chemistry as hisfavorite. Sun, who came toASFAas an 8thgrader, completed the Math & ScienceDepartment’s course requirements after10th grade and began taking math andscience courses at the University ofAlabama at Birmingham in the 11th grade.He is currently president of ASFA’s MuAlpha Theta (Math Honor Society) Chapterand tutors students at ASFAand onlinethrough STUDYBUDDY. Devin said

a auSePPl“public educationwith passion”

ASFAhas two finalists:U.S.PresidentialScholar&GatesMillenniumScholar

TWO ASFA STUDENTSSELECTED FOR2014 NATIONAL YOUTHORCHESTRA

Congratulations to ASFA MusicDepartment students Andrew Downs andMichael Brown who have been selectedfor the 2014 National Youth Orchestra ofthe United States of American and willtake an eight-city tour across the UnitedStates. The youth orchestra comprises120 of the country’s best young musiciansfrom across the country and was createdlast year by the Weill Music Institute atCarnegie Hall in New York. Selectedstudents participated in a rigorousaudition process and will now train withmusicians from some of the country’sfinest orchestra’s, including the ChicagoSymphony, Pittsburg Symphony,Cleveland Orchestra, New YorkPhilharmonic, San Francisco Symphonyand the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Michael, a 12th grade violinist, andAndrew, an 11th grade bassist, along withthe rest of the youth orchestra will beled by conductor David Robertson ofthe St. Louis Symphony. The group isexpected to perform at Carnegie Hall inNew York City and travel to performancesin Lenox, Mass., Boone, N.C., Chicago,Wyoming, and Los Angeles.

Left:Devin Sun

Right:CodyChang

Left:MichaelBrownRight:AndrewDowns

Three ASFA faculty and staff memberswere chosen from nearly a thousandpeople across the metropolitan area toattend a daylong invitation-onlyinspirational “visioning” conference onMarch 1. The highly-anticipated eventbrought 200 creative and conscientiouspeople together to discuss ways to helptheir city and the surrounding area reachits fullest potential. The event was calledTEDxBirmingham (Technology,Entertainment and Design) and is thenew national phenomenon travelling tomajor cities to get residents to explore“what if” their cities could be better.TED Talks have become a popularonline lecture series with engagingspeakers on intellectual matters rangingfrom science, culture and other subjects.

Please explain the excitementassociated with TED Talks for peoplenot familiar with the phenomena.

P.J. GODWIN, ASFA CoreMath/Science Teacher:“TED was founded almost 30 years agoon the basis of "ideas worth spreading.”In the spirit of ideas worth spreading,TEDx is a program of local, self-organizedevents that bring people together toshare a TED-like experience, where x isthe independently organized TED event.At the TEDxBirmingham event, TED Talkvideo and live speakers (who have amaximum of 18 minutes to speak)combine to spark deep discussion andconnection in a small group.”

What was the most fascinatingcomponent or moment for you fromthe experience?

JAVACIA BOWSER, ASFA EnglishLiterature Teacher and founder of“See Jane Write,” a literary group ofemerging women writers:

West Honeycutt, who is one of theboard members of Equality Alabama.Where else would I have the opportunityto speak with and listen to all theseinteresting people???

What did you learn from theexperience?

GODWIN: I really learned that we allhave something to give. I learned weall can and should inspire others…I learned that it's okay to fail. I learnedto surround myself with people who willraise (me) up, not tear (me) down. Ilearned how to better learn from mymistakes. I learned to value the time Ihave. I learned that a simple spark maybe all that's needed.

BOWSER: TEDxBirmingham was agame changer for me. It inspired me tosee my city, my career, and even my-self in a new way. It inspired me to bebrave and try new things for the good ofothers.

NEEL: Birmingham is in a transitionalperiod, and it is up to us to propel itforward. (continued on page 3)

“The theme of TEDxBirmingham 2014was “Rediscovering the Magic,” with thegoal being to help Birminghamresidents see their city is a magical landagain.” As an English teacher andwriter, the thing most fascinating for mewas rediscovering the magic ofstorytelling. I witnessed the power ofstorytelling and saw its ability to“mystify, evoke, and transform” – whichwere the themes of the three sessionsthat made up the conference.”

JASON NEEL, ASFA’s Library MediaSpecialist and filmmaking teacher:“Collaboration and communicationseem to be the buzz words for the day.”

GODWIN: I was fascinated by the bulkof talented people around me and whatthey were accomplishing in the city.We were encouraged throughout theday to talk with and socialize withpeople we didn't know. So I spent partof the morning being regaled by storiesfrom 40-year Birmingham residentMarjorie Johnston (who was a dearfriend of Dorothy Jemison Day!), and Igot to have lunch with, among others,page 2

TEDXBIRMINGHAMINSPIRES HUNDREDS

P.J. Godwin Javacia Harris Jason Neel

TripleVision:

"Our city can't reach its full potential if itsfuture inhabitants can't reach theirs." P.J. Godwin

School Alumnus from the Arts SchoolsNetwork, the nation’s largestprofessional membership organizationof specialized arts schools. Finally, theguild spoke of Scott’s 2013 jazz CDRite of Passage which includes thesong “Golden” that premiered as anumber one single on Billboard Radio’sSmooth Jazz Chart.

Several people attended the musicscholarship benefit gala sponsored bythe century-old music guild, which hasawarded more than $500,000 in musicscholarships to promisingundergraduate music students atAlabama colleges and universitiesfor several years.

The Birmingham Music Guild honoredASFA Music Department Chair KimScott Feb. 1 at its annual Rhythm &Muse benefit gala at the VestaviaCounty Club. Scott, a nationallyrecognized classical and jazz flutist, isa 1993 Birmingham Music Clubscholarship recipient and performedduring the lively fundraiser.

Scott performed “Fantasie PastoraleHongroise” by Franz Doppler, and theguild recognized Scott for her talent andfor training young aspiring musicians.They noted that she has invited severalGrammy Award winners to ASFA toteach master classes. They alsoacknowledged Scott’s most recentaward as the 2013 Outstanding Arts

Don’t miss ASFA’s SpringMusicGalaThursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25

7:30 p.m.in the Dorothy Jemison Day TheaterTickets can be purchased online at

www.djdtheater.orgor at the door for $10.

page 3

(continued from page 2)

How did the opportunity help youprofessionally?

BOWSER: I had already been using TEDTalks in my Women and Media elective,but TEDxBirmingham and the EducatorFellows program has helped me developways I can bring TED Talks and theinnovative spirit of the TED conferenceinto my English classes as well.

NEEL: It will guide my practice as I striveto be a more innovative educator.

GODWIN It just inspired me to getbetter at what I do. Even with meetingand talking with all of these wonderfulpeople, they in turn thought what “I” didwas amazing! There were a few talksabout the importance of children; of hownecessary it was to give them the tools forsuccess. Victoria Hollis, programmanager at the Birmingham EducationFoundation, had the line of the day for mewhen she spoke about revampingBirmingham schools and education: "Ourcity can't reach its full potential if its futureinhabitants can't reach theirs."

How do you plan to use what youlearned to impact your community?

GODWIN: As Matthew Hamilton, one ofthe coordinators said, "Ideas mystify,words evoke, but actions transform."Each of us has the potential to do each ofthese things within our communities. I amstill processing and thinking, but I havebeen challenged to DO something!

NEEL: It is really important to get anetwork of facilitators of change.

BOWSER: I want to organize a TED-inspired event at ASFA. On a larger scaleI plan to launch a project through whichI will strive to tell the stories of women inBirmingham who are doing things toimprove the city.

MUSIC GUILDHONORS SCOTTGildedGolden:

page 4

ALABAMACHAPTEROF THE NATIONALASSOCIATION OFTEACHERS OF SINGINGSTUDENTAUDITIONS

Congratulations to Music Department vocalsenior AnnaWillis who won first place inthe advanced category of a recentstatewide vocal competition. Anna alongwith seven otherASFAvocalistsparticipated in theAlabama chapter of theNational Association of Teachers of Singingstudent auditions at the University of SouthAlabama Feb. 21-22. Music Departmentfreshman Lillian Davis won second place inthe beginning girls category, and MusicDepartment freshman Emma Bratton wonthird place in beginning girls. Music JuniorParker Sellers won third place in theadvanced boys category.

Congratulations to the 10ASFA studentswho made theAll State High School andMiddle School Bands this year. They willperform at this year’s All State Band FestivalApril 10-12 at the Von Braun Center inHuntsville. The following students, shownabove L- R, have been invited to attend:

All State High School BandTammy Qiu, oboeMatthew Belser, clarinetJaylen Leonard, alto saxophoneWisdom Bibbs, trumpet

Alternates:Haley Rooks, bassoonTaryn Sharpe, clarinet (not pictured)Tristin Jones, baritone saxophone

Middle School All State BandKaylee Orr, fluteAlonso Moreno, clarinetJosh Myers, trombone

Congratulations also to those students whomade the 2014All District High School Band.All District band is one high school band andone middle school band with students fromacross the Birminghammetropolitan area.The event was held February 6-8th atHomewood High School. From theAll

HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLESCHOOL TO PERFORMAllStateTen:

District band a certain number of thetop chairs advance to theAlabamaAllState Band Festival. The students areas follows:

All District High School BandLindseyWaggoner, 11th chair fluteTammy Qiu, 1st chair oboeHaley Rooks, 3rd chair bassoonMatthew Belser, 1st chair clarinetTaryn Sharpe, 14th chair clarinetVinzent Wesselman, 16th chair clarinetJaylen Leonard, 1st chair alto saxKe’von Johnson, 7th chair alto saxTristin Jones, 2nd chair baritone saxWisdom Bibbs, 5th chair trumpetJulian Williams, 13th chair trumpetAustin Green, 15th chair trumpetCharles Renneker, 5th chair percussion

All District Middle School BandJosh Myers, 1st chair tromboneKaylee Orr, 2nd chair fluteAlonso Moreno, 3rd chair clarinetErnesto Moreno, 9th chair trumpetMya Gibson, 11th chair clarinet

page 5

Congratulations to Music Departmentsenior Lauren Williams, who won ascholarship to attend the Universityof Alabama in the fall as part of theUniversity of Alabama’s PianoScholarship Competition. Laurenperformed on a recital at the university inJanuary along with the other winners ofpiano and organ scholarships. Laurenand former ASFA student Christina Lewisalso competed in the Southern RegionalDivision of the Music Teachers NationalAssociation competition in Louisville, Ky.,in January and received honorablemention in the piano duo category.

Congratulations also to Music DepartmentSenior Leona Crasi, who won ascholarship for the third consecutive yearat the Boykin Piano Festival atHuntingdon College in Montgomery.There were about 220 competitors, andLeona was chosen to perform on theHonors Recital in February.

Music Department Freshman LillianDavis and TheatreArts DepartmentSophomore Talia Moore wowed anaudience of 700 area school children inFebruary at theAlys Stephens Center.The two students performed as partof a theater ensemble during theStephens Center’s ArtPlay and Make ItHappen Theater Company’s annualtribute toAfrican-American culture.This year’s program honoredAfrican-Americans who made legendarystrides and contributions toAmericansociety in culture, entertainmentand science. Lillian and Talia performedin several scenes on stage alongwith 30 other area elementary,middle and high school students fromother schools across themetropolitan Birmingham area.

Don’t miss Spring Music GalaThurs., April 24 & Fri., April 25at 7:30 p.m.in theDorothy Jemison Day Theater.Tickets $10 each.

MUSIC AND THEATRECOMBINE PERFORMANCE

The following ASFA Music students wereaccepted into the University of AlabamaHonor Band Festival in Tuscaloosarecently: Lindsey Waggoner, KenyaDavis, Jaylen Leonard, Taryn Sharpe,Julian Williams & Savannah Newton.In addition, Music Department SeniorJaylen Leonard was awarded a full musicscholarship to the University of Alabamaat the festival’s closing concert.

The following students received awardsat the American Federation of MusicClubs Competition: Haeun Kim placedfirst in strings and overall. Anna Willisplaced first in voice. Eamon Griffith wonfirst place in piano. Jack Yarbroughplaced second in piano, and LaurenWilliams placed fourth in piano.

Music Department Junior Andrew Downsplaced fourth in the Blount-SlawsonConcerto Competition for the MontgomerySymphony Orchestra.

StarPairing:

MORE MUSIC ACCOLADES AND HONORSARE AWARED TO ASFA STUDENTS

page 6

Congratulations to the theatre studentswho competed in Alabama ThespianConference at Samford University andreceived Superior ratings in thecategory of Duet Dramatic Acting.

They were Noah Dates, ChandlerJacobs, Katherine Coulter, Carrye AnnRainer, Jonathan Henderson, EmmettStackpole, Esme Hill and RachelBoyd.

Congratulations also to Alana Elwardand Elle Purdum for ranking secondin the state for their dramatic scene.They are eligible now for competitionat the International ThespiansConvention in Lincoln, Neb.,in June.

STUDENTS ATTENDTHESPIAN CONFERENCEActingOut:

MURAL UNVEILED

Two ASFA students wererecognized recently at the unveilingof a wall-size mural at the WellsFargo Bank building onBirmingham’s Southside. Theartwork of 12th grade Visual Artsstudent Willie Williams was unveiledas part of the overall mural.Williams’ work displays the imagesof the four young girls killed in thebombing of 16th Street BaptistChurch in 1963. Wells Fargooriginally commissioned thepainting as part of its support of the50th anniversary of the Civil RightsMovement.

Theatre Arts Department 11th graderMiaya Webster presented anoriginal heart-felt poem about thecivil rights movement. In addition,Miaya has recently been acceptedinto the Birmingham Civil RightsInstitute Legacy LeadershipProgram.

THERE’S ALWAYS BREAKINGNEWS ON OUR WEBSITE!WWW.ASFA.K12.AL.US

page 7

AlabamaWriters' Forum recentlyannounced its winners in the 2014 HighSchool LiteraryArtsAwards competition,andASFAscored 17 award winners inthis prestigious statewide writingcompetition. Among the 17 winners,ASFA’s Creative Writing studentsreceived first place awards in four of thefive categories offered in the competition.

The Creative Writing Department’sliterary magazine Cadence received firstplace for Exceptional Literary Contentand a $150 prize.

The student winners shown aboveare as follows:

Creative Nonfiction-First Place: MaryAlice Hughes;Second Place: Norah Madden-Lunsford;Judge’s Special Recognition: Lydia Oliver;Certificate ofMerit: Julianna Schock.

Drama-Judge's Special Recognition: AdrianeTharp.

Fiction-First Place: Dakotah Murphree;Second Place: Adriane Tharp; KathleenToppins andArabella Rubino;Certificate of Merit: Emily Shivani Aminand TiayaWhite.

Poetry-First Place: Andrew David Bates;Third Place: Lita Waggoner;Judge’s Special Recognition: AdrianeTharp, Ceri-Lune Renneboog, KathrynHargett, and Lauren Harris;

In addition, there were six $500scholarship winners announced, andwinner of the Leah Marks MemorialSenior Portfolio Scholarship wasASFA'sJessica Orcutt.

WRITERSANDARTISTSAWARDED HONORS IN2014 SCHOLASTICREGION-AT-LARGECOMPETITION

The following 5 Creative Writing & 11Visual Arts students also won awards inthe 2014 Scholastic Art andWritingAwards Southeastern RegionAt-LargeCompetition. The students receivingGold Key recognition will be judged fornational awards.

CREATIVEWRITINGGold KeyAwards: 12th graders --Lauren Harris, Poetry & Short Story; LitaWaggoner, Poetry; 11th graderAdrianeTharp, Personal Essay/Memoir; 8thgrader Emma Camp, Short StorySilver KeyAwards: 12th graders – LitaWaggoner, Short Story & Flash Fiction;

ASFA STUDENTS CLAIM FOUROF FIVE 1ST PLACE AWARDSWriteOn:

Emma Herr, Poetry &Writing Porfolio; 11thgraderAdriane Tharp, PoetryHonorable Mention: Adriane Tharp forPersonal Essay/Memoir

VISUALARTSGold KeyAwards: 12th grader MaluAyers,Painting; 11th grader Krystalyn Robinson,Painting & Digital ArtSilver KeyAwards: 12th grader MaluAyers,Art Porfolio; 11th grader Cassandra Payne,Mixed Media; 10th graderAngelicaLyublinskaya, Mixed MediaHonorable Mentions: 12th grader SarahKirch, Art Portfolio, 11th graders DaniellaCaycedo, Painting & Drawing; Jolie Rambin,Painting and Krystalyn Robinson, MixedMedia; 10th graders Sarah Dent, Painting &Mixed Media (2); Rumi Kallenbach, MixedMedia (2); Stormy Smith, Painting and 9thgrader Callie Coccia, Painting.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2014State Superintendent Visual Arts ShowAwards. Visual Arts senior MaluAyers wonfirst place, and Visual Arts senior Lily Shurbetwon 3rd place in the 11th and 12th gradeDivision. 8th grade artist Elana Hites wonHonorable Mention in the 7th and 8th gradeDivision.

Visual Artswinners shownfrom left:Malu Ayers,Lily ShurbetandElana Hites

page 8

Five Dance Department students recentlyreceived scholarships and acceptancesinto summer dance intensives across thecountry as a result of their participationin auditions during theAlabama DanceFestival in January.

Tenth grade dancer Hannah LeComtewas:• Accepted into theAmerican BalletTheatre Summer Intensive inAustin, Texas• Selected as an alternate for a fullscholarship to the Richmond BalletSummer Dance Intensive in Richmond, Va.

ASFASTUDENTS DANCE THEIRWAYTO SENSATIONALSUMMERSStepItUp:

Ninth grade dancer Bryanna Mitchellwas awarded:• A full scholarship to the Dance Theatre ofHarlem in New York City• Apartial scholarship to theAmerican BalletTheatre in New York City• A full tuition scholarship to Richmond Balletin Richmond, Va.• A full scholarship to theAlabama DanceTheatre in Montgomery•A full tuition scholarship to the HuntsvilleBallet School• A one-week scholarship to theAmericanDance Festival in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.• Aone-week scholarship to the KoreshDance Company School in Philadelphia,Penn.• A one-week scholarship to Troy University’sSummer Spotlight Performance Intensive

Ninth grade dancer Eryn Cade wasawarded:• A full tuition scholarship to HuntsvilleBallet School• A full tuition scholarship to the AlabamaDance Academy in Birmingham• A full tuition scholarship to the SoutheastAlabama Dance Company SummerIntensive in Dothan• A one week scholarship to the AlabamaYouth Ballet in Huntsville• A $500 scholarship to attend theSyracuse University Dance Intensive inSyracuse, NY• Acceptance into the Alabama BalletSummer Dance Intensive• Acceptance into the American BalletTheatre Summer Dance Intensive inAustin, Texas

Eighth grade dancer DeMya Myrickwas:• Accepted into the Alabama BalletSummer Dance Intensive• Accepted into the American BalletTheatre Summer Dance Intensive inTuscaloosa

Seventh grade dancer Rachel Lockhartwas:• Accepted into the International BalletIntensive in Gainesville, Ga.• Accepted into the Alabama BalletSummer Dance Intensive in Birmingham

Don’t miss ASFA’sDance Department’s

CELEBRATINGSPRINGWITHDANCE

Friday,and Saturday,May 2 & 3 at 7:30 p.m.and Sunday, May 4at 2:30 p.m.in the

Dorothy Jemison DayTheater

Tickets can bepurchased online atwww.djdtheater.orgor at the door for

$10 each.

page 9

8TH GRADERSWINFIRST PLACE INPIZITZ MATHTOURNAMENT

ASFA’s 8th grade Math Team won firstplace in the Pizitz Middle School MathTournament in February. This is thelargest local tournament they haveattended this year with over 1,300participants. In the individualcompetition, Sarah Zhao scored 2nd,Quen Parson scored 8th, and ZachHamby scored 10th. Please join usin congratulating these students as wellas all the Math & Science eighth gradersin a brilliant performance.

No, it was not the Winter Olympics, but herein Birmingham, several Math & Sciencestudents won honors at the ScienceOlympiad! Maya Samuels Fair and OmPatel won first place medals in the ChemLabcategory. Maya andAke Kankirawatana won

HOOVERHIGHSCHOOLANNUALMATHTOURNMENTASFA’s 9th grade Geometry Team won2nd place in the Large School division of thisprestigious tournament. Individual awardwinners were: 2nd place – Eli Getman,11th place – Matthew Zhu, 13th place –Christopher Fox and 15th place individual –Karthik Sadanand.

ASFA’s 10th gradeAlgebra II Team placed4th in the Large School division, andAndrew Boyd won a 15th place individualaward. The 8th gradeAlgebra I Team won5th place in the Large School division, andthe 11th & 12th grade Comprehensive Teamwon 7th place in the Large School division.

2014ALABAMASTATEWIDE HIGHSCHOOLMATHCONTEST

On Saturday, February 22, ASFA’sgeometry, algebra II, and comprehensiveteams participated in the Round 1 writtentest of the 2014Alabama Statewide HighSchool Math Contest. The teamsreceived an at-large bid to Round 2,which is a ciphering competition inFlorence. The results are as follows:

Comprehensive (11th/12th grade)Team won 3rd place in the LargeSchool division.The following students placed in the top25 per cent in the statewide large schooldivision:14th place statewide – Devin Sun37th place statewide – Monica Pasala41st place statewide –Adam He

Algebra II/Trigonometry (10th grade)won 3rd place in the Large Schooldivision.The following students placed inthe top 25 per cent in the statewide largeschool division:2nd place in Division 1 & 3rd placestatewide -- Andrew Boyd17thplace statewide–MayaSamuels-Fair24th place statewide -- TurnerAtwood26th place statewide -- Emmanuel Musa27th place statewide -- Jacob Rozycki.

Geometry (9th grade) won 3rd place inthe Large School division.The following students placed in the top25 % in the statewide large schooldivision:6th place statewide – Eli Getman10th place statewide -- Dhruval Gadhia20th place statewide -- Hemant Srivastava23rd place statewide -- Matthew Zhu26th place statewide -- Christopher Fox27th place statewide -- Taimur Ghani

MATHANDSCIENCE NEWSAwardsPlus:

first placemedals in theDynamicPlanetcategory. Third placemedalswent toAke andMaya forTechnical ProblemSolving, and alsotoMayaPadmalayan andEllenWu for being“DiseaseDetectives” and toAdamHeandVictor Sui for their workwith circuits.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

page 10

CHRISTINE NAISH NACCARELLIDANCE, ’84 – ‘86AlumProfile:

Christine’s passion for ballet broughther to ASFA in 1984, all the way fromher home in Kailua on the island ofOahu, Hawaii. She graduated fromASFA in 1986 and went on to completea B.A. in Sociology from UCLA. Sheand her husband Giuseppe, along withtheir two teenage children, make theirhome in Alameda, Calif., where theyopened a beautiful new Italian fine-dining restaurant, Trabocco, in November.Christine has been teaching Pilates atthe Harbor Bay Club in Alameda since2002 and has been the Mind BodyCoordinator, overseeing Yoga andPilates programs since 2008. On topof her very busy schedule, Christine isone of the volunteer coordinators forthe ASFA 40 and Better Reunion,coming up this June.

Christine has stayed involved in the artsby serving on the Board of Directors ofthe Alameda Civic Ballet and performsin their annual Nutcracker production.She says, “Though the pointe shoeshave long since been put away, I loveperforming as Clara’s mother in theparty scene. I have danced the role fornine years. Being on stage is great fun,but working with a new young danceras my stage daughter each year andseeing her grow into the role andperform beautifully is incredibly rewarding.”

Christine says that teaching Pilates hasbeen a wonderful way to use hermovement background with dance tohelp and inspire others. With theaddition of the new restaurant, she islearning to juggle two careers but feelsthe challenge is definitely worth it. Herhusband, Giuseppe, has a lifetime ofexperience as a chef and always

dreamed of having his own restaurant.“We feel incredibly fortunate that anopportunity came along for him to live thatdream and working together is very funand fulfilling. Never having worked in arestaurant prior to the opening ofTrabocco on November 18, it has been alearning experience! We are very proud ofwhat we have brought to our community,and we are receiving tremendousamounts of positive feedback.”

What were some of your fondest ASFAmemories?Christine: I look back on my entireexperience at ASFA with nothing but fondmemories. The friendships and bondsthat were made at ASFA are lifetimeconnections. My most recent fondmemory was our Alumni Reunion in 2011.It was so special to see old friends andmake new ones -- I cannot wait to seeeveryone again in June!

Looking back, if you could speak toyour 15-year-old self, what would yousay best prepared you for what you aredoing professionally now?Christine: What ASFA gave me that hashelped me the most in my life, bothpersonally and professionally, wasconfidence. Like so many others, when Iarrived at ASFA I found a place where I fitin. No longer was I the nerdy ballerina girlwho didn’t get invited to parties, I hadfound a place where everyone was likeme, and most importantly, I was liked andrespected for what I did.

What other advice do you have for ourcurrent students?Christine: Few of us have the greatfortune of succeeding in a career in thearts, but the education and experience ofan arts school like ASFA prepare us forsuccess in any field. My only advice to astudent would be to try to find somethingthat they love and feel as passionateabout as they do their art discipline.

page 11

ANITA SPRATT-BESONGMUSIC, ’77-’79AlumProfile:

Anita Spratt-Besong, a 1979 MusicDepartment graduate, returned to ASFAin February to work with the currentASFA Ladies Vocal Ensemble alsoknown as Concerto Delle Donne. Spratt-Besong, who is currently working on hersecond CD, wrote a song with music fora children’s choir and spoke with ASFAVocal Studies Instructor Laura Doss,who agreed for the ASFA Ladies VocalEnsemble to perform.

“Due to problems we had with theweather and having to reschedule therecording, Anita and the students spentalmost five hours in one day on theproject,” Mrs. Doss said. “The studentslearned and recorded the song in therecital hall all in one day.”

Spratt-Besong recorded her first albumYou are my Joy in 1989 which turned outto be a hit in England and a marginal

success on the R&B and pop charts inthe United States. Popular R&B singerBrian McKnight sang backup on thealbum before his claim to fame alongwith his brother Claude McKnight andJoey Kibble of the popular acappellagospel group Take 6.

Spratt-Besong has also performed withGrammy Award winning producers JimmyJam and Terry Lewis and jazz producerPhil Davis. After taking time off to raiseher family, she returned to the studio andworked as a studio background vocalistand performing background vocalist forthe London reggae artist Miguel Paul andhis band Utopia. The band performsfrequently in Atlanta, but she now spendsher time performing locally as a featuredvocalist with the band Raw Jazz Trio. Hersecond CD, which is expected to bereleased later this year, is called Songsin the Key of Love, produced by ByronThomas, and is a mixture ofcontemporary jazz, R&B and neo-soul.

SAVE THE DATE FORASFAALUMNI 2014SUMMER REUNIONS

JUNE 13

The Class of 2004 is celebrating their 10year reunion June 13. Plans include areception at ASFA and other festivities.For more details, contact Kari Gonthier atklgonthier@gmail.com.

JUNE 20-22

The 2014 ASFAAlumni 40 & BetterReunion will be held June 20-22 at theTutwiler Hotel in Birmingham. Eventorganizers Daphne Boman Powell,Harper Wood and Christine NaishNaccarelli are working hard to put on agreat weekend and will be reaching outsoon to ask for more reunion volunteers.While the event is focused on alumni whograduated in 1992 or before, all ASFAAlumni are welcome. We hope to seeeveryone rekindling old friendships andmaking new ones. The weekend willfeature a Friday night opening reception,a big party Saturday night and a familyfriendly picnic in Railroad Park onSunday. Brochures will be distributedsoon. For more information, contactLeigh Horsley at lhorsley@asfa.k12.al.usor (205) 252-6617.

DON’T FORGET TO UPDATEYOUR INFORMATION INTHE ALUMNI DIRECTORY ONOUR WEBSITE!WWW.ASFA.K12.AL.US

It’s been a crazy winter, but summerwill be here before we know it!Hopefully, we’ll start seeing signs ofspring soon and the threat of snowand ice will be behind us.

One PTSO event that occurs in thespring is a series of three hospitalitybrunches for the faculty and staff,each hosted by the parents of twospecialties. The first one was inFebruary, hosted by Math & Scienceand Creative Writing parents. Specialthanks to all the parents whocontributed and helped out with thismuch appreciated opportunity toshow our gratitude to the teachers,ministrators and staff. In March, theparents of Dance and Theatrestudents hosted the second brunch,and Music and Visual Arts parents

will host the final one in April.Please be on the lookout forcommunications from your child’sparent support group liaison for howyou can help out!

As we start thinking aboutregistration for next year, pleasekeep the PTSO in mind. If you didn’tjoin this year, please consider joiningnext year. Look for a 2014-2015PTSO Membership form as youregister for school next year. Youmay also want to consider gettingmore involved by joining theExecutive Board. We will electofficers for next year very soon andhave several vacancies on the boardto fill. If you have any questionsabout what we do, just seek one ofus out and ask!

T O M M Y W A G G O N E RP T S O P R E S I D E N T

PTSOnews

page 12 ALABAMA SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, Alabama 35203 205-252-9241 www.asfa.k12.al.us

YEARBOOK NEWSSome ASFA kids tackled making a yearbook.They promised, “By hook or by crook,”Our book will be clever,The best yearbook ever.You should buy one before they’re all took!

(Extra copies are not guaranteed.)

Yearbooks $45. Contact Ms. Abernathy atvabernathy@asfa.k12.al.usPrices will increase after yearbook delivery.

Applause, Vol. 27, issue 4

was generously printed by

Alabama Power Corporation

Jaronda Little, Editor205.252.9241 jlittle@asfa.k12.al.usLeigh Horsley, Development &Alumni Relations DirectorCorey Craft, Copy Editor

It is the policy of ASFA not to discriminateon the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed,

national origin, sexual orientation or any other proscribedcategory, in its educational programs, activities or

employment policies as required by local, state, andfederal policies and laws. Inquiries or complaints regardingcompliance with applicable laws or ths policy may be

directed to Dr. Michael Meeks at mmeeks@asfa.k12.al.us.

2015 TRIP TOFRANCE PLANNED

Information about a trip to France(including itinerary, tentative dates,cost & payment plan) is available athttp://portal.sliderocket.com/World-Strides/VIE-LinchetThis site will direct you to enrollmentmaterial and the company website.You don’t have to be a Frenchstudent to sign up and parents arewelcome. Feel free to contactMadame Linchet atdlinchet@asfa.k12.al.usif you have questions.

ASFABOARD OF TRUSTEES

MEETINGAPRIL 24, 201411:30 A.M.